As the Indians wait to find out their opponent for the Wild Card game Wednesday they announced that rookie Danny Salazar will start the win-or-go-home game.

Salazar made just 10 starts during the regular season, but the 23-year-old right-hander had incredible strikeout numbers in the minors before being called up and posted a 3.12 ERA with an excellent 65/15 K/BB ratio in 52 innings for the Indians while averaging 95.9 miles per hour with his fastball.

Justin Masterson likely would have gotten the assignment if not for his having to work his way back from an injury and the Indians needed to start the more experienced Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir over the weekend to secure the playoff spot.

It’d odd that they didn’t save Jiminez for the playoff game – granted, they needed every game to get in, but they were facing the Twins without Joe Mauer. I’d give Salazar pretty good odds to win there.

…and with Chris Perez laboring mightily after being deprived of his weed, and having to spend a small fortune negotiating that plea bargain for his dog, the prospects for the Indians fire brigade aren’t great either.

Salazar has been taken off his leash now though, and should last 6 innings, with Masterson probably going 1, maybe 2 innings, Joe Smith will be available, Cody Allen, Scrabble. I think the pitching will be fine. The offense though needs to score early, and control the game.

They have limited his innings all year for this exact situation. He had TJ a couple years ago. Most, if not all his starts were not short due to performance, but due to caution, and he left with the lead in most of them, and not in trouble. Not sure if Tito will let him go in this game or not, but the Tribe will have Kluber and McCallister in the pen if needed, plus Kazmir would possibly be able to give them a few innings. This kid will be fine.

If people haven’t seen Salazar pitch before, they are in for a bit of an eye opener. He’s pretty good: has an outstanding fastball which he follows with a terrific change up. He can also throw a slider, but its the probably the pitch they stay away from since its clearly not that polished. However he’s got about 10mph difference in speeds between Change & FB with his FB touching 97mph. He is not chicken feed. He’ll be good for twice through the lineup, maybe 2.5 times if he’s getting some calls. If he can get that slider working he’s going to be devastating. Should be a good game.

Salazar has electric swing and miss stuff that neither the Rays nor the Rangers have seen before. He also has the poise to go out and win a big game. He never seems phased on the mound. With his leash off, I see no reason for him to go out and dominate. Our offense needs to back him.